Brian Cox criticises 'disproportionate' reaction to Tim Hunt's comments

Broadcaster says lack of women in science is a problem but criticises UCL for 'hounding out' Nobel laureate as part of wider problem of 'trial by social media'

The scientist and broadcaster Prof Brian Cox has said it was wrong the way a Nobel laureate scientist was "hounded out" of his university post over controversial comments he made about women working in laboratories.

Cox said the remarks by Sir Tim Hunt had been "very ill-advised" but that the response - which saw him give up positions at University College London (UCL) and the Royal Society - had been disproportionate.